Silicon Compounds and Their Use

ABSTRACT

A compound of any of formulae (I) to (III) wherein at least one of Y and Z includes a Si atom, is of utility in therapy.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to silicon compounds and their use in therapy.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) plays a key role in the biology of reproduction. GnRH is also known as luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH).

The GnRH decapeptide (pyro-Glu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Art-Pro-Gly-NH₂ or p-EHWSYGLRPG-NH₂) is formed in neurons of the medical basal hypothalamus from a larger precursor via enzymatic processing. The peptide is released in a pulsatile manner into the pituitary portal circulation system, where GnRH interacts with high-affinity receptors (7-transmembrane G-protein coupled receptors) in the anterior pituitary gland located at the base of the brain. Here, GnRH triggers the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), both of which are gonadotropic hormones (gonadotropins). LH stimulates the production of testosterone and estradiol in the testes and ovaries respectively, whilst FSH stimulates follicle growth in women and sperm formation in men. When correctly functioning, the pulsatile release and concentration levels of GnRH are critical for the maintaining of gonadal steroidogenesis and for normal functions of reproduction related to growth and sexual development.

The pituitary response to GnRH varies greatly throughout life. GnRH and the gonadotropins first appear in the foetus at about ten weeks of gestation. Sensitivity to GnRH reduces until the onset of puberty. There is, however, a brief rise during the first three months after birth. Prior to puberty, the FSH response to GnRH is greater than that of LH. Once puberty begins, sensitivity to GnRH increases, and pulsatile LH secretion ensues. Later in puberty and throughout the reproductive years, pulsatile release of GnRH occurs throughout the day, with responsiveness to LH being greater than that of FSH. Pulsatile GnRH release results in pulsatile LH and FSH release and thus testosterone and estradiol release from the gonads. Post-menopause, the concentration of FSH an LH rise, and the post-menopausal levels of FSH are higher than those of LH.

Chronic administration of GnRH agonists and antagonists results in decreased circulating levels of both LH and FSH. GnRH agonists are compounds that mimic endogenous GnRH to stimulate receptors on the pituitary gland, resulting in release of LH and FSH. After a transient rise in gonadal hormone production (“flare” response), the chronic administration of GnRH agonists results in down-regulation of the GnRH receptors. This down-regulation and desensitization results in a reduction in the circulating levels of LH and FSH. In spite of the symptom-exacerbating hormonal flare experienced, GnRH agonists have been the preferred treatment for sex-steroid-dependent pathophysiologies. GnRH agonists have been used to reduce testosterone production, thereby reducing prostate volume in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and slowing tumour growth in prostate cancer. Such compounds have also been used in the treatment of breast and ovarian cancers.

In recent years, GnRH antagonists have become available for clinical evaluation, and have been shown to have an immediate effect on the pituitary but without the observed flare associated with agonists. Use of GnRH antagonists has been reported for the treatment of ovarian, breast and prostate cancers.

Other uses of antagonists include endometriosis (including endometriosis with pain), uterine myoma, ovarian and mammary cystic diseases (including polycystic ovarian disease), prostatic hypertrophy, amenorrhoea (e.g. secondary amenorrhoea), and precocious puberty. These compounds may also be useful in the symptomatic relief of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Antagonists may also be useful to regulate the secretion of gonadotropins in male mammals to arrest spermatogenesis (e.g. as male contraceptives), and for treatment of male sex offenders. GnRH antagonists and agonists have been shown to have utility in treatments where a reversible suppression of the pituitary-gonadal axis is desired.

The presence of GnRH receptors on anterior pituitary cells and several tumour cell types offers the opportunity to develop drugs that act upon receptors to treat both hormone-dependent and hormone-independent cancers.

Conventionally, androgen deprivation has been the most effective systematic therapy for the treatment of metastatic carcinoma of the prostate. The prostate gland requires androgens for normal growth, maintenance, and function. Prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia, however, are common in men and develop in an environment of continuous exposure to androgen. Utilizing a GnRH antagonist to interrupt the pituitary-gonadal axis reduces androgen production and results in tumour growth modulation.

GnRH antagonists may have a direct effect on tumour growth by blocking receptors on the tumour cells. For those cancer types that respond both to sex hormones and to GnRH directly, antagonists should be effective in slowing tumour growth by two mechanisms. Since GnRH receptors are present on many prostate and breast cancer cells, it has recently been proposed that GnRH antagonists may also be effective in treating non-hormone-dependent tumours. Recent literature examples indicate that GnRH receptors are present on a number of cancer cell lines. In particular, prostate, ovarian and breast cancers (see for example Montagnani et al., Arch. Ital, Urol. Androl. 1997, 69(4), 257-263; Jungwirth et al., Prostate 1997, 32(3), 164-172; Srkalovic et al., Int. J. Oncol. 1998, 12(3), 489-498; Kottler et al., Int. J. Cancer 1997, 71(4), 595-599.

Available GnRH antagonists have primarily been peptide analogues of GnRH (see, for example, WO93/03058). Peptide antagonists of peptide hormones have some potency but, the use of current peptide antagonists is often associated with problems because peptides are degraded by physiological enzymes and often poorly distributed within the organism being treated. They thus have a limited effectiveness as drugs.

WO0/20358 discloses non-peptide analogues of GnRH.

Sila-substitution (C/Si-exchange) of drugs is a relatively recent approach for searching for organo-silicon compounds, which have beneficial biological properties. The approach involves the replacement of specific carbon atoms in compounds by silicon, and monitoring how the biological properties of the compounds have changed. A review of this approach is provided in Tacke and Zilch, Endeavour, New Series, 10, 191-197 (1986).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the invention is a compound of any of formulae (I) to (III):

wherein

D is —(CH₂)_(n)—, —C(═X)—, —O—, —S(O)_(m)—, —C(═X)N(R^(e))—, —C(R^(b))₂—, —C(R^(b))═C(R^(b))—, or —CH(R^(b))CH(R^(b))—;

E is optionally present and is —(CH₂)_(n)—, —N(R^(d))—, —(CH₂)_(n)N(R^(d))— or —N(R_(d))(CH₂)_(n)—;

F is —C(═X)— or —N(R^(d))—;

G is —(CH₂)_(n)—, —N(R^(d))—, —(CH₂)_(n)N(R^(d))— or —N(R_(d))(CH₂)_(n)—;

J is optionally present and is —O—, —N(R^(c))C(═X)—, —C(═X)N(R^(c))—, S(O)_(m)—, —N(R^(c))S(O)_(m)—, —S(O)_(m)N(R^(c))—, —N(R^(e))— or —N(R^(g))(R^(h))—;

K is optionally present and is alkylene optionally substituted with R^(b); or K is cycloalkylene, cycloalkenylene, arylene, heterocycloalkylene, heterocycloalkenylene or heteroarylene, any of which is optionally substituted with R^(a);

L is optionally present and is hydrogen, halogen, —N(R^(f))₂, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkenyl or heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted with R^(a), —C(═X)OR^(d), —OH, —OR^(c), —C(═X)N(R^(b))(R^(c)), —S(O)_(m)N(R^(b))(R^(c)) or —CN;

each R^(a) is the same or different and is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, aryl, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkoxy-(CH₂)_(n)C(═O)OR^(b), —O-aryl, —C(═X)R^(c), —NO₂, —CN, —N(R^(c))C(═X)R^(c), —C(═X)N(R^(c)), —S(O)₂N(R^(c))₂ or —N(R^(e))₂;

each R^(b) is the same or different and is hydrogen or alkyl;

each R^(c) is the same or different and is alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkyl-aryl, alkyl-cycloalkyl or aryl optionally substituted with R^(a);

each R^(d) is the same or different and is hydrogen, alkyl, or aryl optionally substituted with R^(a);

each R^(e) is the same or different and is hydrogen, alkyl; or R^(e) is aryl or heteroaryl, either of which is optionally substituted with R^(a);

each R^(f) is the same or different and is hydrogen or alkyl; or R^(f)—N—R^(f) taken together form heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkenyl or heteroaryl;

each R^(g) is alkyl, cycloalkyl or alkyl-cycloalkyl, either of which is optionally substituted by an oxo and/or fluoro group;

each R^(h) is alkyl, cycloalkyl or alkyl-cycloalkyl substituted with N(R^(f))₂; or R^(g) and R^(h) are taken together to form a heterocycloalkyl ring;

one or two of T, U, V and W is nitrogen, and the others are each C(R^(a));

each X is the same or different and is oxygen or sulphur;

Y is —Si(R^(c))₃ or -alkyl-Si(R^(c))₃;

Rings 1 and 2 are the same or different and are each arylene or heteroarylene, either of which is optionally substituted with R^(a);

each m is the same or different and is 0, 1 or 2; and

each n is the same or different and is 0, 1, 2 or 3;

with the proviso that the compound does not contain a N—N single bond;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Compounds of the invention may act as GnRH antagonists and, as a result, may have utility in cancer therapy or in the treatment or prevention of endometriosis, uterine myoma, an ovarian disease, a mammary cystic disease, prostatic hypertrophy, amenorrhoea, precocious puberty, premenstrual syndrome, a sex-steroid-dependent pathophysiology, benign prostatic hyperplasia or Alzheimer's disease, or to arrest spermatogenesis.

Accordingly, a second aspect of the invention is the use of a compound of the invention for the manufacture of a medicament for cancer therapy or for the treatment or prevention of endometriosis, uterine myoma, an ovarian disease, a mammary cystic disease, prostatic hypertrophy, amenorrhoea, precocious puberty, premenstrual syndrome, a sex-steroid-dependent pathophysiology, benign prostatic hyperplasia or Alzheimer's disease, or to arrest spermatogenesis.

Another aspect of the invention is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain compounds and combinations of substituents are preferred; in particular see the subclaims.

The term “alkyl” as used herein refers to an optionally substituted straight or branched chain alkyl moiety having from one to six carbon atoms. The term includes, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl and the like. The substituents may be the same or different in each occurrence and selected from halogen and the like. “C₁₋₆ alkyl” has the same meaning. “Alkylene” refers to a similar, divalent group.

The term “alkoxy” as used herein refers to an optionally substituted straight or branched chain alkoxy group containing one to six carbon atoms. The term includes, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, tert-butoxy, pentoxy, hexoxy and the like. The substituents may be the same or different in each occurrence and selected from halogen and the like. “C₁₋₆ alkoxy” has the same meaning.

The term “halogen” as used herein refers to F, Cl, Br or I.

The term “aryl” as used herein refers to optionally substituted aromatic ring systems comprising six to ten ring atoms, and optionally substituted polycyclic ring systems having two or more cyclic rings at least one of which is aromatic. This term includes, for example, phenyl and naphthyl. The group may be optionally substituted with the substituents being the same or different in each occurrence and selected from R^(a) and the like. “Arylene” refers to a similar, divalent group.

The term “cycloalkyl” as used herein refers to a saturated alicyclic moiety having from three to six carbon atoms. The term includes, for example, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and the like. The group may be optionally substituted by any substituent described herein. “Cycloalkylene” refers to a similar, divalent group.

The term “cycloalkenyl” as used herein refers to an alicyclic moiety having from three to six carbon atoms and having in addition at least one double bond. The term includes, for example, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl and the like. The group may be optionally substituted by any substituent described herein. “Cycloalkenylene” refers to a similar, divalent group.

The term “heterocycloalkyl” as used herein refers to a saturated heterocyclic moiety having from three to seven carbon atoms and one or more heteroatoms selected from the group N, O, S, P and Si. The term includes, for example, azetidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, piperidinyl and the like. The group may be optionally substituted by any substituent described herein. “Heterocycloalkylene” refers to a similar, divalent group.

The term “heteroaryl” as used herein refers to aromatic ring systems of five to ten atoms at least one atom of which is selected from O, N and S. The term includes, for example, furanyl, thiophenyl, pyridyl, indolyl, quinolyl and the like. The group may be optionally substituted with R^(a) and the like. “Heteroarylene” refers to a similar, divalent group.

Preferred compounds of the invention include:

-   5-(4-trimethylsilyl)pyridin-2-yloxy)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; -   N-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(4-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-2-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; -   N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(4-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-2-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; -   5-(5-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-3-yloxy)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; -   N-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(5-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-3-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; -   N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(5-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-3-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; -   5-(2-methyl-5-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-3-yloxy)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; -   5-(2-methyl-5-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-3-yloxy)-N-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; -   5-(2-methyl-5-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-3-yloxy)-N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; -   5-(2-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-4-yloxy)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; -   5-(2-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-4-yloxy)-N-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; -   5-(2-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-4-yloxy)-N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; -   5-(5-methyl-2-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-4-yloxy)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; -   N-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(5-methyl-2-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-4-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; -   N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(5-methyl-2-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-4-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; -   5-(6-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-2-yloxy)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; -   N-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(6-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-2-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; -   N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(6-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-2-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; -   5-(3-methyl-6-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-2-yloxy)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; -   N-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(3-methyl-6-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-2-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; -   5-(3-methyl-6-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-2-yloxy)-N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-arboxamide; -   5-(4-(trimethylsilyl)pyrimidin-2-yloxy)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; -   N-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(4-(trimethylsilyl)pyrimidin-2-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; -   N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(4-(trimethylsilyl)pyrimidin-2-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; -   5-(2-(trimethylsilyl)pyrimidin-4-yloxy)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; -   5-(2-(trimethylsilyl)pyrimidin-4-yloxy)-N-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; -   5-(2-trimethylsilyl)pyrimidin-4-yloxy)-N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; -   5-(5-methyl-2-(trimethylsilyl)pyrimidin-4-yloxy)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; -   N-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(5-methyl-2-(trimethylsilyl)pyrimidin-4-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; -   N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(5-methyl-2-(trimethylsilyl)pyrimidin-4-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; -   5-(6-trimethylsilyl)pyrazin-2-yloxy)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; -   N-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(6-(trimethylsilyl)pyrazin-2-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; -   N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(6-(trimethylsilyl)pyrazin-2-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; -   5-(3-methyl-6-(trimethylsilyl)pyrazin-2-yloxy)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; -   N-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(3-methyl-6-(trimethylsilyl)pyrazin-2-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide;     and -   5-(3-methyl-6-(trimethylsilyl)pyrazin-2-yloxy)-N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide;

the corresponding structures of which are shown below, respectively (ordered left to right):

Compounds of the invention may be chiral. They may be in the form of a single enantiomer or diastereomer, or a racemate.

The compounds of the invention may be prepared in racemic form, or prepared in individual enantiomeric form by specific synthesis or resolution as will be appreciated in the art. The compounds may, for example, be resolved into their enantiomers by standard techniques, such as the formation of diastereomeric pairs by salt formation with an optically active acid followed by fractional crystallisation and regeneration of the free base. Alternatively, the enantiomers of the novel compounds may be separated by HPLC using a chiral column.

Some compounds of the formula may exist in different tautomeric forms, which also fall within the scope of the invention.

A compound of the invention may be in a protected amino, or protected hydroxy or protected carboxy form. The terms “protected amino”, “protected hydroxy” and “protected carboxy” as used herein refer to amino, hydroxy and carboxy groups which are protected in a manner familiar to those skilled in the art. For example, an amino group can be protected by a benzyloxycarbonyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl, acetyl or like group, or in the form of a phthalimido or like group. A carboxyl group can be protected in the form of a readily cleavable ester such as the methyl, ethyl, benzyl or tert-butyl ester.

Some compounds of the formula may exist in the form of solvates, for example hydrates, which also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Compounds of the invention may be in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable salts, for example, addition salts of inorganic or organic acids. Such inorganic acid addition salts include, for example, salts of hydrobromic acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid and sulphuric acid. Organic acid addition salts include, for example, salts of acetic acid, benzenesulphonic acid, benzoic acid, camphorsulphonic acid, citric acid, 2-(4 chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropionic acid, 1,2-ethanedisulphonic acid, ethanesulphonic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), fumaric acid, glucoheptonic acid, gluconic acid, glutamic acid, N□glycolylarsanilic acid, 4-hexylresorcinol, hippuric acid, 2-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)benzoic acid, 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, 2-hydroxyethanesulphonic acid, lactobionic acid, n-dodecyl sulphuric acid, maleic acid, malic acid, mandelic acid, methanesulphonic acid, methyl sulphuric acid, mucic acid, 2-naphthalenesulphonic acid, pamoic acid, pantothenic acid, phosphanilic acid ((4-aminophenyl)phosphonic acid), picric acid, salicylic acid, stearic acid, succinic acid, tannic acid, tartaric acid, terephthalic acid, p-toluenesulphonic acid, 10-undecenoic acid and the like.

It will be appreciated that such salts, provided that they are pharmaceutically acceptable, may be used in therapy. Such salts may be prepared by reacting the compound with a suitable acid in a conventional manner.

A compound of the invention may be prepared by any suitable method known in the art and/or by the following processes:

It will be understood that the processes detailed above are solely for the purpose of illustrating the invention and should not be construed as limiting. A process utilising similar or analogous reagents and/or conditions known to one skilled in the art may also be used to obtain a compound of the invention.

Any mixtures of final products or intermediates obtained can be separated on the basis of the physico-chemical differences of the constituents, in a known manner, into the pure final products or intermediates, for example by chromatography, distillation, fractional crystallisation, or by the formation of a salt if appropriate or possible under the circumstances.

The activity and selectivity of the compounds may be determined by any suitable assay known in the art.

The compounds of the invention may be used in the treatment of numerous ailments, conditions and diseases including, but not limited thereto, cancer, endometriosis, uterine myoma, an ovarian disease, a mammary cystic disease, prostatic hypertrophy, amenorrhea, precocious puberty, premenstrual syndrome, a sex-steroid-dependent pathophysiology, benign prostatic hyperplasia, Alzheimer's disease, HIV infection, AIDS and diseases caused by thyroid malfunction, or to arrest spermatogenesis.

The term “cancer” as used herein refers to any disease or condition characterised by uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cells and includes all known types of cancer, for example cancer of the bladder, breast, colon, brain, bone, head, blood, eye, neck, skin, lungs, ovaries, prostate and rectum; digestive, gastrointestinal, endometrial, hematological, AIDS-related, muscoskeletal, neurological and gynecological cancers; lympomas, melanomas and leukaemia.

In therapeutic use, the active compound may be administered orally, rectally, intra-vaginally, parenterally, by inhalation (pulmonary delivery), topically, ocularly, nasally, or to the buccal cavity. Oral administration is preferred. Thus, the therapeutic compositions of the present invention may take the form of any of the known pharmaceutical compositions for such methods of administration. The compositions may be formulated in a manner known to those skilled in the art so as to give a controlled release, for example rapid release or sustained release, of the compounds of the present invention. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers suitable for use in such compositions are well known in the art. The compositions of the invention may contain 0.1-99% by weight of active compound. The compositions of the invention are generally prepared in unit dosage form. Preferably, a unit dose comprises the active ingredient in an amount of 1-500 mg. The excipients used in the preparation of these compositions are the excipients known in the art.

Appropriate dosage levels may be determined by any suitable method known to one skilled in the art. It will be understood, however, that the specific dose level for any particular patient will depend upon a variety of factors including the activity of the specific compound employed, the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, time of administration, route of administration, rate of excretion, drug combination and the severity of the disease undergoing treatment.

Compositions for oral administration are preferred compositions of the invention and there are known pharmaceutical forms for such administration, for example tablets, capsules, granules, syrups and aqueous or oily suspensions. The pharmaceutical composition containing the active ingredient may be in a form suitable for oral use, for example, as tablets, troches, lozenges, aqueous or oily suspensions, dispersible powders or granules, emulsions, hard or soft capsules, or syrups or elixirs. Compositions intended for oral use may be prepared according to any method known to the art for the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions, and such compositions may contain one or more agents selected from the group consisting of sweetening agents, flavouring agents, colouring agents and preserving agents in order to provide pharmaceutically elegant and palatable preparations. Tablets contain the active ingredient in admixture with non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable excipients which are suitable for the manufacture of tablets. These excipients may be, for example, inert diluents, such as calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, lactose, calcium phosphate or sodium phosphate; granulating and disintegrating agents, for example corn starch or alginic acid; binding agents, for example starch gelatin, acacia, microcrystalline cellulose or polyvinyl pyrrolidone; and lubricating agents, for example magnesium stearate, stearic acid or talc. The tablets may be uncoated or they may be coated by known techniques to delay disintegration and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and thereby provide a sustained action over a longer period. For example, a time delay material such as glyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distearate may be employed.

Formulations for oral use may also be presented as hard gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with an inert solid diluent, for example calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate or kaolin, or as soft gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with water or an oil medium, for example peanut oil, liquid paraffin or olive oil.

Aqueous suspensions contain the active materials in admixture with excipients suitable for the manufacture of aqueous suspensions. Such excipients are suspending agents, for example sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, sodium alginate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, gum tragacanth and gum acacia; dispersing or wetting agents may be a naturally occurring phosphatide, for example lecithin, or condensation products of an alkylene oxide with fatty acids, for example polyoxyethylene stearate, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with long-chain aliphatic alcohols, for example heptadecaethyleneoxycetanol, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with partial esters derived from fatty acids, for example polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate. The aqueous suspensions may also contain one or more preservatives, for example ethyl or n-propyl p-hydroxybenzoate, one or more colouring agents, one or more flavouring agents, and one or more sweetening agents, such as sucrose or saccharin.

Oily suspensions may be formulated by suspending the active ingredient in a vegetable oil, for example arachis oil, olive oil, sesame oil or coconut oil, or in a mineral oil such as liquid paraffin. The oily suspensions may contain a thickening agent, for example beeswax, hard paraffin or cetyl alcohol. Sweetening agents, such as those set forth above, and flavouring agents may be added to provide a palatable oral preparation. These compositions may be preserved by the addition of an antioxidant such as ascorbic acid.

Dispersible powders and granules suitable for preparation of an aqueous suspension by the addition of water provide the active ingredient in admixture with a dispersing or wetting agent, suspending agent and one or more preservatives. Suitable sweetening, flavouring and colouring agents may also be present.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may also be in the form of oil-in-water emulsions. The oily phase may be a vegetable oil, for example olive oil or arachis oil, or a mineral oil, for example liquid paraffin, or mixtures of these. Suitable emulsifying agents may be naturally occurring gums, for example gum acacia or gum tragacanth, naturally occurring phosphatides, for example soya bean, lecithin, and esters or partial esters derived from fatty acids and hexitol anhydrides, for example sorbitan monooleate and condensation products of the said partial esters with ethylene oxide, for example polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate. The emulsions may also contain sweetening and flavouring agents.

Syrups and elixirs may be formulated with sweetening agents, for example glycerol, propylene glycol, sorbitol or sucrose. Such formulations may also contain a demulcent, a preservative and flavouring and colouring agents. The pharmaceutical compositions may be in the form of a sterile injectable aqueous or oleagenous suspension. This suspension may be formulated according to the known art using those suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents which have been mentioned above. The sterile injectable preparation may also be in a sterile injectable solution or suspension in a non-toxic parenterally acceptable diluent or solvent, for example as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are water, Ringer's solution and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose, any bland fixed oil may be employed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. In addition, fatty acids such as oleic acid, find use in the preparation of injectables.

The compounds of the invention may also be administered in the form of suppositories for rectal administration of the drug. These compositions can be prepared by mixing the drug with a suitable non-irritating excipient which is solid at ordinary temperatures but liquid at the rectal temperature and will therefore melt in the rectum to release the drug. Such materials are cocoa butter and polyethylene glycols.

Compositions for topical administration are also suitable for use in the invention. The pharmaceutically active compound may be dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable cream, ointment or gel. A suitable cream may be prepared by incorporating the active compound in a topical vehicle such as light liquid paraffin, dispersed in a aqueous medium using surfactants. An ointment may be prepared by mixing the active compound with a topical vehicle such as a mineral oil or wax. A gel may be prepared by mixing the active compound with a topical vehicle comprising a gelling agent. Topically administrable compositions may also comprise a matrix in which the pharmaceutically active compounds of the present invention are dispersed so that the compounds are held in contact with the skin in order to administer the compounds transdermally.

The following Example illustrates the invention.

In the Example and Intermediates, all syntheses were carried out under dry nitrogen. Tetrahydrofuran (THF), diethyl ether, dichloromethane, toluene and m-xylene were dried and purified according to standard procedures and stored under nitrogen (as described in The Purification of Laboratory Chemicals, D. D. Perrin, W. L. F. Armarego, D. R. Perrin and C. Chai, Butterworth-Heinemann, 2003). Light petroleum refers to the fraction with b. p. 40-60° C. DMSO refers to dimethylsulfoxide. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was performed on silica (SiO₂) plates. ¹H NMR spectra were generated at 400 MHz in CDCl₃ unless otherwise stated. Mass spectral data were generated on a Waters ZQ instrument.

Intermediate 1: 5-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-3-ol

To a cooled (−78° C.) solution of 3-bromo-5-hydroxypyridine (1.00 g, 5.74 mmol) in THF (30 mL) was added dropwise a solution of n-butyl lithium (1.6 M solution, 9 mL, 2.5 equiv.). The reaction was allowed to stir at −78° C. for 1 h before trimethylsilylchloride (3.28 mL, 4.5 equiv.) was added and stirring continued for 5.5 h. Tetrabutylammonium fluoride (1 M solution, 20 mL, 3.5 equiv.) was added to the reaction before the cooling bath was removed and stirring continued for a further 15 min after which time the reaction was quenched by addition of water. The aqueous layer was separated and extracted into ethyl acetate and the combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried (magnesium sulfate) and concentrated under reduced pressure to afford the crude product. This was chromatographed (silica gel, 20-60% ethyl acetate in light petroleum) to afford the desired product (336 mg, 35%).

Intermediate 2: methyl 5-(5-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-3-yloxy)furan-2-carboxylate

To a solution of 5-(trimethylsilyl)pyridine-3-ol (Intermediate 1, 330 mg, 1.97 mmol) in THF (10 mL) was added potassium tert-butoxide (222 mg, 1.0 equiv.) and the resulting mixture was heated to reflux for 1.75 h. Upon cooling the solvent was removed in vacuo before the residue was dissolved in dry DMSO (10 mL) and methyl-5-bromo-2-furoate (405 mg, 1.0 equiv.) was added. This mixture was heated to 85° C. for 16 h before being allowed to cool and diluted with ethyl acetate. Water was added and after thorough mixing the aqueous layer was extracted into ethyl acetate (3×40 mL) and the combined organic extracts were washed with water, brine and then dried (magnesium sulfate). The volatiles were removed in vacuo before the crude product was purified by column chromatography (silica gel, 10-20% ethyl acetate in light petroleum) to afford the desired material (165 mg, 30%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) 8.52 (1H, s), 8.45 (1H, s), 7.52 (1H, s), 7.18 (1H, d), 5.61 (1H, d), 3.89 (3H, s) and 0.31 (9H, s).

Example N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(5-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-3-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide

A solution of 4,6-dimethoxy-N-(3-morpholinopropyl)pyrimidine-2,5-diamine (prepared according to the procedure in WO-A-02/098363; 2.6 mL of a 0.427 M solution; 1.1 mmol, 2 equiv.) was diluted with dry toluene (3.4 mL) and the resulting solution cooled to −30° C. A solution of trimethylaluminium (2 M, 1.65 mL, 3.31 mmol, 6 equiv.) was added dropwise and the resulting mixture was allowed to warm to −20° C. over 0.5 h and then to room temperature before being added dropwise to a cooled (0° C.) solution of methyl 5-(5-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-3-yloxy)furan-2-carboxylate (Intermediate 2; 161 mg, 0.51 mmol) in dichloromethane (6 mL). Then whole was then allowed to warm to room temperature before being heated to 40° C. for 16 h. Upon cooling (0° C.) the reaction was quenched with saturated ammonium acetate solution (ca. 30 ml required) and the aqueous layer was extracted into ethyl acetate. The combine organic extracts were washed with brine, dried (magnesium sulfate) and concentrated in vacuo. The crude material was purified by column chromatography (silica gel, 1-6% methyl alcohol in dichloromethane containing 1% acetic acid) to afford the desired material (125 mg, 40%). M.p. 80-82° C. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) 8.54 (1H, s), 8.45 (1H, s), 7.45 (1H, s), 7.18 (1H, d), 6.95 (1H, s, br), 5.81 (1H, br, t), 5.67 (1H, d), 3.89 (6H, s), 3.72-3.76 (4H, m), 3.42-3.51 (2H, m), 2.45-2.55 (6H, m), 1.73-1.82 (2H, m) and 0.33 (9H, s). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃) 166.4, 159.6, 157.0, 156.7, 151.9, 150.2, 140.5, 140.0, 137.1, 129.7, 117.1, 91.1, 90.9, 67.1, 57.4, 53.9, 53.7, 40.8, 25.8 and −1.1. 

1. A compound of any of formulae (I) to (III):

wherein D is —(CH₂)_(n)—, —C(═X)—, —O—, —S(O)_(m)—, —C(═X)N(R^(e))—, —C(R^(b))₂—, —C(R^(b))═C(R^(b))— or —CH(R^(b))CH(R^(b))—; E is optionally present and is —(CH₂)_(n)—, —N(R^(d))—, —(CH₂)_(n)N(R^(d))— or —N(R_(d))(CH₂)_(n)—; F is —C(═X)— or —N(R^(d))—; G is —(CH₂)_(n)—, —N(R^(d))—, —(CH₂)_(n)N(R^(d))—, or —N(R_(d))(CH₂)_(n)—; J is optionally present and is —O—, —N(R^(c))C(═X)—, —C(═X)N(R^(c))—, —S(O)_(m)—, —N(R^(c))S(O)_(m)—, —S(O)_(m)N(R^(c))—, —N(R^(e))— or —N(R^(g))(R^(h))—; K is optionally present and is alkylene optionally substituted with R^(b); or K is cycloalkylene, cycloalkenylene, arylene, heterocycloalkylene, heterocycloalkenylene or heteroarylene, any of which is optionally substituted with R^(a); L is optionally present and is hydrogen, halogen, —N(R^(f))₂, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkenyl or heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted with R^(a), —C(═X)OR^(d), —OH, —OR^(c), —C(═X)N(R^(b))(R^(c)), —S(O)_(m)N(R^(b))(R^(c)) or —CN; each R^(a) is the same or different and is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, aryl, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkoxy-(CH₂)_(n)C(═O)OR^(b), —O-aryl, —C(═X)R^(c), —NO₂, —CN, —N(R^(c))C(═X)R^(c), —C(═X)N(R^(c)), —S(O)₂N(R^(c))₂ or —N(R^(e))₂; each R^(b) is the same or different and is hydrogen or alkyl; each R^(c) is the same or different and is alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkyl-aryl, alkyl-cycloalkyl or aryl optionally substituted with R^(a); each R^(d) is the same or different and is hydrogen, alkyl, or aryl optionally substituted with R^(a); each R^(e) is the same or different and is hydrogen, alkyl; or R^(e) is aryl or heteroaryl, either of which is optionally substituted with R^(a); each R^(f) is the same or different and is hydrogen or alkyl; or R^(f)—N—R^(f) taken together form heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkenyl or heteroaryl; each R^(g) is alkyl, cycloalkyl or alkyl-cycloalkyl, either of which is optionally substituted by an oxo and/or fluoro group; each R^(h) is alkyl, cycloalkyl or alkyl-cycloalkyl substituted with N(R^(f))₂; or R^(g) and R^(h) are taken together to form a heterocycloalkyl ring; one or two of T, U, V and W is nitrogen, and the others are each C(R^(a)); each X is the same or different and is oxygen or sulphur; Y is —Si(R^(c))₃ or -alkyl-Si(R^(c))₃; Rings 1 and 2 are the same or different and are each arylene or heteroarylene, either of which is optionally substituted with R^(a); each m is the same or different and is 0, 1 or 2; and each n is the same or different and is 0, 1, 2 or 3; with the proviso that the compound does not contain a N—N single bond; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. The compound according to claim 1, wherein D is —O—, —S— or —CH₂—.
 3. The compound according to claim 1, wherein E is absent.
 4. The compound according to claim 1, wherein F is —C(O)—.
 5. The compound according to claim 1, wherein G is —N(R^(d))—.
 6. The compound according to claim 5, wherein R^(d) is hydrogen.
 7. The compound according to claim 1, wherein J and K are absent, and L is hydrogen or —N(R^(f))₂.
 8. The compound according to claim 1, wherein J is —NH—, K is alkylene and L is heterocycloalkyl.
 9. The compound according to claim 1, wherein Ring 1 is furanylene.
 10. The compound according to claim 1, wherein Ring 2 is phenylene, pyrimidylene or pyridinylene, any of which is optionally substituted.
 11. The compound according to claim 10, wherein Ring 2 is substituted 1, 2 or 3 times, the substituents being the same or different and selected from alkoxy and halogen.
 12. The compound according to claim 1, wherein one or two of T, U, V and W is nitrogen, and the others are each CH.
 13. The compound according to claim 1, selected from: 5-(4-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-2-yloxy)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; N-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(4-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-2-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(4-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-2-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; 5-(5-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-3-yloxy)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; N-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(5-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-3-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(5-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-3-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; 5-(2-methyl-5-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-3-yloxy)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; 5-(2-methyl-5-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-3-yloxy)-N-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; 5-(2-methyl-5-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-3-yloxy)-N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; 5-(2-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-4-yloxy)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; 5-(2-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-4-yloxy)-N-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; 5-(2-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-4-yloxy)-N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; 5-(5-methyl-2-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-4-yloxy)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; N-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(5-methyl-2-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-4-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(5-methyl-2-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-4-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; 5-(6-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-2-yloxy)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; N-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(6-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-2-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(6-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-2-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; 5-(3-methyl-6-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-2-yloxy)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; N-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(3-methyl-6-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-2-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; 5-(3-methyl-6-(trimethylsilyl)pyridin-2-yloxy)-N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; 5-(4-(trimethylsilyl)pyrimidin-2-yloxy)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; N-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(4-(trimethylsilyl)pyrimidin-2-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(4-(trimethylsilyl)pyrimidin-2-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; 5-(2-(trimethylsilyl)pyrimidin-4-yloxy)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; 5-(2-(trimethylsilyl)pyrimidin-4-yloxy)-N-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; 5-(2-(trimethylsilyl)pyrimidin-4-yloxy)-N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; 5-(5-methyl-2-(trimethylsilyl)pyrimidin-4-yloxy)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; N-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(5-methyl-2-(trimethylsilyl)pyrimidin-4-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(5-methyl-2-(trimethylsilyl)pyrimidin-4-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; 5-(6-(trimethylsilyl)pyrazin-2-yloxy)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; N-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(6-(trimethylsilyl)pyrazin-2-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(6-(trimethylsilyl)pyrazin-2-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; 5-(3-methyl-6-(trimethylsilyl)pyrazin-2-yloxy)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide; N-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)propylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)-5-(3-methyl-6-(trimethylsilyl)pyrazin-2-yloxy)furan-2-carboxamide; and 5-(3-methyl-6-(trimethylsilyl)pyrazin-2-yloxy)-N-(2-(3-morpholinopropylamino)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-5-yl)furan-2-carboxamide.
 14. The compound according to claim 1, which is in the form of a single enantiomer, diastereomer or tautomer.
 15. (canceled)
 16. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formulae (I) to (III):

wherein D is —(CH₂)_(n)—, —C(═X)—, —O—, —S(O)_(m)—, —C(═X)N(R^(e))—, —C(R^(b))₂—, —C(R^(b))═C(R^(b))— or —CH(R^(b))CH(R^(b))—; E is optionally present and is —(CH₂)_(n)—, —N(R^(d))—, —(CH₂)_(n)N(R^(d))— or —N(R_(d))(CH₂)_(n)—; F is —C(═X)— or —N(R^(d))—; G is —(CH₂)_(n)—, —N(R^(d))—, —(CH₂)_(n)—N(R^(d))—, or —N(R_(d))(CH₂)_(n)—; J is optionally present and is —O—, —N(R^(c))C(═X)—, —C(═X)N(R^(c))—, —S(O)_(m)—, —N(R^(c))S(O)_(m)—, —S(O)_(m)N(R^(c))—, —N(R^(e))— or —N(R^(g))(R^(h))—; K is optionally present and is alkylene optionally substituted with R^(b); or K is cycloalkylene, cycloalkenylene, arylene, heterocycloalkylene, heterocycloalkenylene or heteroarylene, any of which is optionally substituted with R^(a); L is optionally present and is hydrogen, halogen, —N(R^(f))₂, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkenyl or heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted with R^(a), —C(═X)OR^(d), —OH, —OR^(c), —C(═X)N(R^(b))(R^(c)), —S(O)_(m)N(R^(b))(R^(c)) or —CN; each R^(a) is the same or different and is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, aryl, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkoxy-(CH₂)_(n)C(═O)OR^(b), —O-aryl, —C(═X)R^(c), —NO₂, —CN, —N(R^(c))C(═X)R^(c), —C(═X)N(R^(c)), —S(O)₂N(R^(c))₂ or —N(R^(e))₂; each R^(b) is the same or different and is hydrogen or alkyl; each R^(c) is the same or different and is alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkyl-aryl, alkyl-cycloalkyl or aryl optionally substituted with R^(a); each R^(d) is the same or different and is hydrogen, alkyl, or aryl optionally substituted with R^(a); each R^(e) is the same or different and is hydrogen, alkyl; or R^(e) is aryl or heteroaryl, either of which is optionally substituted with R^(a); each R^(f) is the same or different and is hydrogen or alkyl; or R^(f)—N—R^(f) taken together form heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkenyl or heteroaryl; each R^(g) is alkyl, cycloalkyl or alkyl-cycloalkyl, either of which is optionally substituted by an oxo and/or fluoro group; each R^(h) is alkyl, cycloalkyl or alkyl-cycloalkyl substituted with N(R^(f))₂; or R^(g) and R^(h) are taken together to form a heterocycloalkyl ring; one or two of T, U, V and W is nitrogen, and the others are each C(R^(a)); each X is the same or different and is oxygen or sulphur; Y is —Si(R^(c))₃ or -alkyl-Si(R^(c))₃; Rings 1 and 2 are the same or different and are each arylene or heteroarylene, either of which is optionally substituted with R^(a); each m is the same or different and is 0, 1 or 2; and each n is the same or different and is 0, 1, 2 or 3; with the proviso that the compound does not contain a N—N single bond; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.
 17. The method according to claim 24, wherein said method is used for the prevention or treatment of cancer.
 18. The method according to claim 24, wherein said method is used for the prevention or treatment of endometriosis, uterine myoma, an ovarian disease, a mammary cystic disease, prostatic hypertrophy, amenorrhoea, precocious puberty, premenstrual syndrome, a sex-steroid-dependent pathophysiology or benign prostatic hyperplasia, or to arrest spermatogenesis.
 19. The method according to claim 18, for the treatment or prevention of endometriosis with pain, polycystic ovarian disease or secondary amenorrhoea.
 20. The method according to claim 24, wherein said method is used for the prevention or treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
 21. The method according to claim 24, wherein said method is used for the prevention or treatment of HIV infection or AIDS.
 22. The method according to claim 24, wherein said method is used for the prevention or treatment of a disease caused by thymic malfunction.
 23. The method according to claim 22, for the treatment or prevention of multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis or type 1 diabetes.
 24. A method for the treatment or prevention of cancer, endometriosis, uterine myoma, an ovarian disease, a mammary cystic disease, prostatic hypertrophy, amenorrhoea, precocious puberty, premenstrual syndrome, a sex-steroid-dependent pathophysiology or benign prostatic hyperplasia, to arrest spermatogenesis, endometriosis with pain, polycystic ovarian disease or secondary amenorrhoea, Alzheimer's disease, HIV infection, AIDS, a disease caused by thymic malfunction, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis or type 1 diabetes, wherein said method comprises administering, to a patient in need of such treatment or prevention, a compound of any of formulae (I) to (III):

wherein D is —(CH₂)_(n)—, —C(═X)—, —O—, —S(O)_(m)—, —C(═X)N(R^(e))—, —C(R^(b))₂—, —C(R^(b))═C(R^(b))— or —CH(R^(b))CH(R^(b))—; E is optionally present and is —(CH₂)_(n)—, —N(R^(d))—, —(CH₂)_(n)N(R^(d))— or —N(R_(d))(CH₂)_(n)—; F is —C(═X)— or —N(R^(d))—; G is —(CH₂)_(n)—, —N(R^(d))—, —(CH₂)_(n)N(R^(d))—, or —N(R_(d))(CH₂)_(n)—; J is optionally present and is —O—, —N(R^(c))C(═X)—, —C(═X)N(R^(c))—, —S(O)_(m)—, —N(R^(c))S(O)_(n)—, —S(O)_(m)N(R^(c))—, —N(R^(e))— or —N(R^(g))(R^(h))—; K is optionally present and is alkylene optionally substituted with R^(b); or K is cycloalkylene, cycloalkenylene, arylene, heterocycloalkylene, heterocycloalkenylene or heteroarylene, any of which is optionally substituted with R^(a); L is optionally present and is hydrogen, halogen, —N(R^(f))₂, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkenyl or heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted with R^(a), —C(═X)OR^(d), —OH, —OR^(c), —C(═X)N(R^(b))(R^(c)), —S(O)_(m)N(R^(b))(R^(c)) or —CN; each R^(a) is the same or different and is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, aryl, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkoxy-(CH₂)_(n)C(═O)OR^(b), —O-aryl, —C(═X)R^(c), —NO₂, —CN, —N(R^(c))C(═X)R^(c), —C(═X)N(R^(c)), —S(O)₂N(R^(c))₂ or —N(R^(e))₂; each R^(b) is the same or different and is hydrogen or alkyl; each R^(c) is the same or different and is alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkyl-aryl, alkyl-cycloalkyl or aryl optionally substituted with R^(a); each R^(d) is the same or different and is hydrogen, alkyl, or aryl optionally substituted with R^(a); each R^(e) is the same or different and is hydrogen, alkyl; or R^(e) is aryl or heteroaryl, either of which is optionally substituted with R^(a); each R^(f) is the same or different and is hydrogen or alkyl; or R^(f)—N—R^(f) taken together form heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkenyl or heteroaryl; each R^(g) is alkyl, cycloalkyl or alkyl-cycloalkyl, either of which is optionally substituted by an oxo and/or fluoro group; each R^(h) is alkyl, cycloalkyl or alkyl-cycloalkyl substituted with N(R^(f))₂; or R^(g) and R^(h) are taken together to form a heterocycloalkyl ring; one or two of T, U, V and W is nitrogen, and the others are each C(R^(a)); each X is the same or different and is oxygen or sulphur; Y is —Si(R^(c))₃ or -alkyl-Si(R^(c))₃; Rings 1 and 2 are the same or different and are each arylene or heteroarylene, either of which is optionally substituted with R^(a); each m is the same or different and is 0, 1 or 2; and each n is the same or different and is 0, 1, 2 or 3; with the proviso that the compound does not contain a N—N single bond; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 